Looking for galleons and finding sharks…

People sometimes tell me that the books I write are escapist and describe a world that can’t exist. I do my best to smile and tell them I hope they find something they enjoy reading more, because one thing that I’m finally learning as I mature is that there’s no point in explaining things to people who have already made their minds up.

We’re friends here, so I’ll admit that all my stories start with a little bit of truth. It can be something I’ve read in the papers or someone I’ve talked to, or people I’ve seen on my daily walks. I’m lucky to live in an incredible place, so today's title is absolutely true. I’ve seen basking sharks and Porbeagles too. They’re not only 3 metres long, but they’re very intelligent, and related to the Great White Shark like the one in Jaws, but they only eat fish and squid. They don’t like people either, so they won’t come for you.

Sorry, I’m wandering off the point, and doesn’t that surprise you? The Nao Santa Maria was due to berth on Poole Quay on Wednesday, and you can find out more about her here. https://www.phc.co.uk/historic-tall-ship-nao-santa-maria-to-visit-poole-quay-this-june/ So off we went, cameras at the ready to photograph her, and found bright sunshine as we walked through the park and stopped to say hi to the swans and geese, then a heavy sea mist as soon as we reached Harbourside. Corfe Castle seemed to have disappeared, and the Santa Maria wasn’t risking sailing our shallow waters while the visibility was so poor, which made a lot of sense. It also made me smile because Poole was once sacked by a Spanish Galleon, following a misunderstanding with local pirate Harry Paye that led to him leaving Compostela with the treasure, the church bell and the Commander’s wife Isabella (and isn’t that a pretty name?) Somehow, I don’t think the weather would have stopped them, but these Spaniards are so much nicer, so we’re happy to welcome them.

It was amazing to see the mist-shrouded sea and feel the damp in the air and to walk along the Quay and look at all the boats that had to find shelter. Then, on the way back, I looked across the grass, because it was so strange that there was mist on the seaward side of the path and bright sunshine on the inland side and saw a shark floating in the air. No, I hadn’t drunk anything at all. Yes, I had seen some amazing kites, and here they are for you. They more than made the day worthwhile.

We tried again on Friday, and I’m going to let the pictures tell the story. The living statue was amazing, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I jumped when it moved. The sun shone on my face, it was just nicely warm without a cardigan, and one of the restaurants was very softly playing smooth jazz as I sat on the wall, and I made the most of it.

I also saw a young man dressed as a pirate and met the real heroes from one of our pleasure boats who’d paused on a trip round the Jurassic Coast to rescue two very cold and scared paddle boarders who’d been swept out to sea, so I came back with so many new ideas and a sense of peace that I hope will carry me through the next few days. Oh, and the power boat racers were good looking too! I do like men in wetsuits…

Have fun till we meet again on Tuesday, thanks as always for reading, and remember, places like this do exist and are waiting for you to find them and I hope we meet in real life some day.